Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II teardown (Lens Rentals)

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II
View Post

All images © lensrentals.com and used with permission

Roger Cicala of Lens Rentals posted a teardown of the new Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II lens. Impressive images, and interesting findings too.

Excerpts from Roger’s conclusion:

[…] this is, as we would expect, a very well built lens with robust roller bearings, large brass collars, heavy metal keys, and good weather sealing.

[Lens Rentals has] some hints, and a lot of Roger speculation, about how Canon is getting lenses with such low variance. Here’s what we know: Canon has more optical adjustments than most lenses, not less. So while they may have tighter tolerances (I have no clue), the key seems to be more in a careful optical adjustment of compensating elements than anything else.

It is clear that Canon is going with more, and more straightforward, adjustment of optics than the other manufacturers.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II
Image © lensrentals.com

Be sure to head over to Lens Rentals to see the many pictures of the teardown, and to get the findings.

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II is getting one positive review after the other. Canon clearly has another winner here. The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II is in stock at major retailers in the US, price is $1,299: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II world-wide:

[shoplist 51369]

Is a “Mirrorless War” coming? Someone thinks so

full frame mirrorless
View Post

Kevin Raber of Luminous Landscape introduces us to a possible upcoming “mirrorless war”. Is it going to be Canon and Nikon against the rest of the world?

In his own words:

The Mirrorless War is here. In the coming months, things will get real interesting in the mirrorless camera market as Nikon and Canon throw their hats into the ring. Now every major manufacturer will have a mirrorless offering. It’s the camera of the future.

In his video, Kevin Raber discusses today’s situation of the market, and gives some predictions for the future.

Exciting times are ahead. Nikon already officially stated they are developing a full frame mirrorless camera, and that they will announce it to the world on August 23, 2018 (all Nikon full frame mirrorless rumors).

And Canon? Hard to say since Canon started to be very secretive about their agendas. All Canon full frame mirrorless rumors are listed here.

Here is the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS with 4K video and 40x zoom, officially announced

Canon PowerShot SX740 HS
View Post

Canon PowerShot SX740 HS at a glance:

  • 20.3MP CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 8 Image Processor
  • 24-960mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • 40x Optical Zoom with OIS
  • 3″ Tilting LCD Display
  • ISO 100-3200 (Extended)
  • 4K Video and 4K Time-Lapse Recording
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connectivity
  • 10-fps Continuous Shooting

Canon announced the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS, a neat little powerhouse with 4K video, 10fps, a 40x optical zoom, and more bells and whistles. Price is $399.99, availability starting August 2018.

The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS can be pre-ordered in two color options:

Long Zoom In A Small Package: Canon Introduces PowerShot SX740 HS Digital Camera

Latest Addition to PowerShot Family Provides a Multitude of Features for Entry-Level Photographers

MELVILLE, N.Y., July 31, 2018 – Whether your family is always on the go, you are an up-and-coming vlogger or you enjoy posting photos to social media, a compact digital camera capable of producing high quality images is a necessity. Today, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, introduced the new PowerShot SX740 HS digital camera boasting a 40x Optical Zoom Lens (equivalent to 24-960mm), a 20.3 Megapixel* CMOS imaging sensor and 4K video capabilities, which is a first in the PowerShot series.

“We remain committed to incorporating the latest technologies and innovations into Canon products that help meet the needs of our customers,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “As we continue to grow the popular PowerShot SX-series, we are excited to offer more imaging solutions that encourage visual storytelling.”

Featuring a DIGIC 8 Image Processor, dual-sensing image stabilization, automatic image transfer, feature assistant and a 3.0-inch LCD screen that rotates 180 degrees, the PowerShot SX740 HS helps make transitioning away from smartphone photography fun and easy. With high-speed continuous shooting up to 7.4fps, an ergonomic design and built-in Wi-Fi®** and Bluetooth®*** technology, you can easily capture life’s greatest moments with the PowerShot SX740 HS.

Availability and Pricing

The PowerShot SX740 HS will be available for purchase in late August for $399.99. To purchase this product or for more information about Canon U.S.A products, visit http://shop.usa.canon.com/.

Canon releases Q2 2018 Financial Results, getting more mirrorless marketshare

View Post

Canon released the financial results for the second quarter 2018.

The company appears to be pretty confident about their role in the mirrorless market, claiming that the EOS M50 “enjoyed strong demand”. In the Speech Summary (see below) they say:

In the second quarter, sales were driven by the EOS M50, a strategically positioned mirrorless camera. Despite being an entry-class model, it incorporates features found in more advanced cameras while delivering easy operation for beginners. Through this, we are bringing new users into our ILC ecosystem.

In general, within the Imaging System Business Unit…

[…] unit sales volume of interchangeable-lens digital cameras decreased compared with the same period of the previous year, due to the gradually shrinking market. However, Canon maintained the top share in the overall interchangeable-lens digital camera market, mainly in the United States, Europe and Japan. Within this, as for mirrorless cameras, the newly launched EOS Kiss M, an entry-level model with shooting functions matching those of higher-level models, enjoyed strong demand. As for digital compact cameras, although unit sales decreased compared with the same period of the previous year amid the shrinking market, sales of such high-value-added models as the PowerShot G-series enjoyed solid demand. For inkjet printers, although demand was strong for refillable ink tank models and large format inkjet printers, overall unit sales decreased compared with the same period of the previous year due to a review of distribution channels. As a result, sales for the business unit decreased by 7.8% to ¥260.5 billion year on year, while operating profit totaled ¥34.8 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 28.3%. Sales for the combined first six months of the year totaled ¥482.3 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 8.1%, while operating profit totaled ¥59.5 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 23.5%.

You can download the following documents:

 

[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.canonwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/conf2018q2e-all.pdf”]

 

Canon security cameras deliver real-time analysis of emotions, report

security cameras
View Post

Canon is investing in artificial intelligence systems. Here is another application.

Nikkei Asian Review reports:

TOKYO — A Canon unit is launching a new security camera system that performs double duty, providing surveillance while also enhancing customer service.

Canon Marketing Japan’s system analyzes facial expressions in real time — a feature envisioned as a marketing tool allowing retailers and entertainment venues to interpret customers’ reactions moment by moment.

The technology detects three emotions — joy, sadness and anger — as well as age and gender. Software analyzes footage sent to the cloud, automatically tracking and charting the level of a particular emotion as a percentage.

A theater, for instance, could monitor an audience to see when and how often they laughed. Canon MJ expects plenty of business from relatively small retailers, such as supermarkets, along with amusement parks and other clients that want detailed insight into customer satisfaction.

The technology is being launched under the company’s cloud-based image management service, VisualStage, with emotion analysis software developed by Tokyo-based security imaging company Aroba.

Read the article at Nikkei Asian Review.

BCN Ranking shows Canon leads market in Japan, Nikon does well, Sony doesn’t count

canon
View Post

BCN Retail published market figures for interchangeable lens cameras in Japan for the period January to June 2018.

Canon clearly leads the market and ranks best for MILCs, Nikon is present (Nikon D5300 ranks first), Sony appears to have no importance.

Among the first 10 placed, Canon hits 7 times, Nikon 3 times. Sony’s best placement is rank 15.

Canon is also leader in the mirrorless market, with the EOS M50 being the most sold mirrorless camera in Japan.

[via Digicame Info]